Aircraft Overhead Bin Pivot Latch Assembly Against Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft overhead storage bin latches are prone to reliability issues due to foreign material entry and soft goods entrapment between the striker and catch, leading to inoperability and damage.
Innovation Solution
A sub-assembly incorporating a latch pawl, down stop pin, latch activator bolt, override lever, pivot point, and latch lever onto a plate, with a snubber and striker pin on a separate plate, forming integrated sub-assemblies that reduce misalignment and potential contact with foreign materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latches are incorporated into the bucket and strongback sidewall panels with aligned clamshell design, then the bin can be closed properly, but foreign material can enter the latch making it inoperable and soft goods can be caught between the striker and catch causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system is divided into separate functional components: the latch mechanism is positioned away from the direct closure path, while the down stop linkage and snubber are separate elements that work together to control bucket movement. This segmentation prevents foreign material and soft goods from interfering with the latch operation while maintaining proper bin closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The down stop linkage acts as an intermediary between the latch mechanism and the bucket closure. It controls the downward movement of the bucket and works in conjunction with the snubber to manage the closing action, preventing direct contact between soft goods and the latch components while ensuring proper latching.
2Reliability
If multiple separate latch components are used, then the latch can function properly, but misalignment between components can occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch components including the latch pawl, down stop pin, latch activator bolt, override lever, pivot point, and latch lever are integrated onto a single plate structure. This merging of components eliminates misalignment issues between separate parts while maintaining the functional integrity of the latch mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated plate structure serves multiple functions: it positions and aligns all latch components relative to each other, provides structural support for the latch mechanism, and acts as a mounting substrate. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed while ensuring proper component alignment.
3Reliability
If more components are used in the latch system, then the latch can be more reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple latch components onto a single plate, the patent reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This merging maintains the functional complexity needed for reliable operation while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing assembly steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft storage bin that includes a latch system that includes a pivot plate assembly, a mounting plate assembly and a latch button assembly. The pivot plate assembly includes a pivot plate attached to the bucket, a latch arm that is pivotally connected to the pivot plate and is pivotal between latched and unlatched positions, and a latch pawl that is pivotal between latched and unlatched positions. A latch activator is secured to the latch arm, which includes a roller member. The latch pawl includes hook and roller receiver portions. In the latched position, the roller member is received in the roller receiver portion. The mounting plate assembly includes a mounting plate to which the pivot plate is pivotally connected and a striker that is received in the hook portion when the bucket is in the closed position. Movement of the button from the home position to the actuation position moves the latch activator, which pivots the latch arm to the unlatched position, the roller member is released from the roller receiver portion and the latch pawl pivots to the unlatched position and releases the striker from the hook portion.